EFFICACY OF LITHIUM-CARBONATE ON PUBLIC AND COMPULSIVE MASTURBATION -A FEMALE CASE WITH MILD MENTAL DISABILITY

The efficacy of lithium carbonate in the first reported case of a fema le with mild mental disability who engaged in public and compulsive ma sturbation is described. The patient was born in 1975, and was 19 year s old at first admission. A diagnosis of schizophrenia was initially s uspected, therefore the patient was given medication including pimozid e, haloperidol, carbamazepine, diazepam and levomepromazine. These med ications. however, did not control the symptoms, and the patient showe d several side effects, such as incontinence. Only lithium carbonate w as efficacious among the medications administered; the patient's abnor mal sexual beavior was significantly reduced and no conspicuous side e ffects were recognized. The mechanisms of lithium carbonate in control ling abnormal sexual behavior are discussed.